Involvement With Client Draws Bar Charges

Ohio Disciplinary Counsel has charged an attorney with engaging in sex with a domestic relations client.

The complaint alleges that the attorney was retained to represent a divorcing husband on September 13, 2019 and filed the initiating papers six days later.

The complaint further alleges that they met at a local restaurant “where they discussed personal matters over a meal.”

Respondent met with opposing counsel on the following day.

Over the ensuing week, Respondent and the client exchanged text messages on matters such as sports and Respondent’s upcoming participation in the Columbus Marathon.

The messages – set out in the complaint – allegedly became “increasingly personal.”

On the evening of October 19, “[t]hey had dinner, drank wine, and engaged in sexual intercourse.”

Respondent left the next morning to run the marathon and texted “Thanks for making my night wonderful.”

Over the next two days, they “texting each other about their budding relationship and their intentions to continue it in the future.”

It was not to be.

On October 21, the client and his spouse “had a verbal and physical altercation at the marital residence.” 

The wife fled and notified the police, who responded and found the client deceased there. 

The death was ruled a suicide.

A google search indicates that the attorney is a partner in a prominent Ohio law firm. (Mike Frisch)